Assemblywoman Galef's Senior Forum on Consumer Scams &
New State Laws Protecting Seniors to Air on Cablevision
Forum highlights valuable ways for senior citizens to avoid becoming victims of identity theft, telemarketing schemes & internet fraud

Senior citizens increasingly find themselves targets of consumer fraud scams and elder abuse in ways that they do not always know how to avoid. In an effort to protect some of the most vulnerable citizens in our population, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef had a panel of experts speak to seniors in the area on July 17th at Cortlandt Town Hall to help them understand why they are targeted, how they can protect themselves and what to do if, in fact they do become victims of either consumer fraud or elder abuse. The forum was taped and will air as follows:

Ossining/Peekskill-Channel 15 at 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays
9/6, 13, 20, and 27

Yorktown-Channel 74 at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays
9/11, 18, and 25

Wappingers Falls-Channel 21 at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays
9/14, 21, and 28

The panel was led off by Gary Brown, Director of Consumer Protection in Westchester County, who discussed the many ways seniors are often preyed upon and how they become victims of identity theft. He offered a wide range of valuable protective actions to take to avoid many of the most popular scams, including those perpetrated by internet hackers and telephone scam artists. In one of the more memorable moments of the event, Brown offered help to a senior in attendance who had been a victim of multiple telemarketing scams targeting a particular piece of real estate he was trying to sell.

Suzanne Miles, a Westchester Assistant District Attorney and the Director of Community Affairs for Westchester County, discussed issues of elder abuse and neglect, which can take many forms, including physical, emotional as well as financial abuse. She also discussed how senior citizens can watch out for one another and recognize "red flags" of abuse.

Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Aging, attended to give an overview of new legislation and laws that protect seniors against violent crimes. He also discussed some of the new efforts in place to protect seniors financially and physically.

The forum was sponsored by Hudson Valley Hospital Center, and co-sponsored by the following organizations: NorCort Senior Club, Cortlandt Senior Club, Village of Croton Senior Club, Putnam Valley Seniors, Ossining Golden Age Club #1, Ossining Seniors, Ossining Senior Center, Briarcliff Manor Seniors, Peekskill Seniors, Buchanan Senior Citizens, Philipstown Senior Citizens, Putnam County Office on Aging, Putnam County AARP, Putnam Valley Senior Nutrition Center, and Drum Hill Senior Living.